Tours/Costa Maya/Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and Mahahual Lighthouse Combo Tour
Viator · group up to 80 pax

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and Mahahual Lighthouse Combo Tour

3.7(3)Costa Maya1 hour
VIATOR3.0(2)TRIPADVISOR5.0(1)

Description

Discover the ancient Mayan world with a visit to the Chacchoben Ruins, located just a short drive from the Costa Maya Cruise Port. This intimate and less crowded site offers a fascinating glimpse into Mayan history, with impressive pyramids and temples set amidst lush jungle. Your 50-minute scenic drive includes a stop at Pineapple Village before you embark on a 1.5-hour guided tour of key structures like Templo 24 and Temple One. Designed for cruise passengers, this excursion ensures timely return to the port, with time to relax in Mahahual’s beach town atmosphere before heading back to your ship.

Tour Options

Chacchoben Mayan Ruins and Mahahual Lighthouse Combo Tour

Itinerary

30 min

Your Chacchoben Mayan Ruins Adventure starts right outside the Costa Maya Cruise Port. Enjoy a comfortable, air-conditioned ride through scenic landscapes on a 50-minute drive to Chacchoben’s stunning archaeological site. Along the way, you'll pass through the charming Pineapple Village of Pedro Santos, famous for its sweet honey pineapples. Our certified guide will share captivating stories about the village's history and culture, with a brief stop for photos and a chance to taste or purchase fresh pineapple.

Admission included240 min

Arrive at Chacchoben and enjoy a 1.5-hour guided tour through this ancient Mayan city, led by expert local guides. Explore the jungle’s hidden pyramids, including Templo 24 and Temple One, and learn about the Mayans’ advanced architectural and astronomical knowledge. As you walk through the Gran Plaza and surrounding areas, you’ll feel the vibrant energy of this once-thriving city, bringing Mayan history to life in a truly unforgettable experience.

Admission included30 min

After exploring the Chacchoben Ruins, you'll head back to the coastal town of Mahahual. Relax on the beach, take a refreshing dip in the ocean, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere before returning to the Costa Maya Cruise Port. We’ll make sure you have a smooth and timely transfer back to your ship for a stress-free end to your day

Highlights

Drinks: beer, juice, sodas and water
Roundtrip Transportation From Costa Maya Port
Chacchoben Mayan City Entrance Fee
Certified Tour Guide

What's included

Included
Drinks: beer, juice, sodas and water
Roundtrip Transportation From Costa Maya Port
Chacchoben Mayan City Entrance Fee
Certified Tour Guide
Not included
Gratuities
$5 USD fee for the use of cameras in the Mayan City. This fee is paid directly at the site.

Traveller Ratings

3.7
3 reviews
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Important Information

  • Specialized infant seats are available
  • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
  • Suitable for all physical fitness levels
  • Your tour will depart one hour after your cruise docks. Look for your guide just outside the main Costa Maya Port entrance, holding a banner with your name.
  • Please note that the total walking time from your cruise ship to the meeting point is about 15 minutes.
  • IMPORTANT: Travelers coming by cruise ship must provide the full name of the ship.
  • No port, no pay! Guaranteed full refund if your cruise ship does not call port in Costa Maya at all
  • Tripods are not allowed on the Mayan City.

Reviews(3)

S
Stephanie_C
March 31, 2026
Buyer Beware!!!

I would not recommend this company. The tour is advertised as a combo with the ruins and the lighthouse however, the tour operator will decide whether they will include the lighthouse, and you will not be compensated for the difference. If there was a way for me to include the email response that the tour operator sent to Viator, I would do so. As the tour operator shared their thoughts on what a combo tour means to them (the combo is optional, as long as you go to the ruins, they can delete the rest of the tour). I'm sure the tour operator will respond to my review and try to dispute their deceptive marketing practices and they will also try to blame me the consumer to cover for themselves. But if you are like most tourists, you have worked hard to be able to take yourself, as well as your family on vacation and the money that you spend has value. As a consumer I am aware of the risks involved when booking excursion reservations with companies such as Chak Ek, so I take responsibility for my loss. But if I can take my experience and share it to help prevent other hard working tourists from being deceived and uncompensated, please proceed with caution with this tour operator. I have nothing to gain from this review. Hopefully it will prevent others from having this experience. The Chacchoben Ruins are amazing just use a different tour operator or better yet, don't book in advance there are lots of taxi drivers that are willing to take you wherever you request, without deception. Buyer Beware!

S
Scenic57825813781
February 2, 2026
Most enjoyable

We loved the itinerary. Perfect for us. Combination of the zoo and the local rum and chocolate tastings was just right. Being on a private tour afforded us the luxury of choosing how long we wanted to spend at each attraction. So when it started to rain we opted out of the beach portion of the tour and instead toured Roatan . Our tour guide was very flexible and accommodating. Samantha had a great knowledge of the sights and spoke English very well so she could describe everything to our understanding. We would definitely recommend her as a tour guide and this tour in particular. Thanks for making our trip to Roatan a memorable one.

M
Matt_M
August 31, 2025
Frank the local guide was great. Its a drive out there but so worth it ! Go!!

Frank, my local tour guide, was great. A +, he lives in one of the neighboring small towns, pop: 800 but he grew up in California so his english was perfect. It's a drive out to the Mayan ruins sites but he made it pleasant. The site itself was beautiful and so well kept. The sites were great and easy to navigate. I wasn't feeling great so we skipped the lighthouse. Getting connected was a challenge. The compony says they will meet "one hour after ship arrival" but passengers dont know when the ship actually arrives. I walked out and looked and luckily another company asked if they could help me. I exited the entire "port area" and the local authorities were helpful in guiding me. Another tour company said "yes, go around the corner for Chek Ken". everyone was helpful. When I got to right area finally, Frank (Francisco) was right there and the first words he said was "you're early!" A little bit of extra work but worth it. Maybe for each of these local tours give a number to call when we are off the boat since we arrived early. Just a thought. Worth everyone I interacted with was so nice and helpful.

Operator response

Hi Matt, We’re thrilled you had a great time exploring the Chacchoben Mayan Ruins with us during your cruise on MSC World America! It’s wonderful to hear that Frank made your day enjoyable and that you loved the beauty and history of the site. We really appreciate your feedback about the meeting process—we’ll definitely take it into consideration to improve the experience for future guests. Thanks for choosing us to spend your day in Costa Maya in the beautiful Caribbean! We’d love to see your amazing photos and stories—feel free to tag us on Instagram or Facebook at @NextExperienceTravel so other travelers can be inspired too! We hope to welcome you back on another adventure soon! Warm regards, The Next Experience Travel Team 🌴

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